GTA V Free on Epic Games Store: How It Worked
Yes, Grand Theft Auto V was given away for free on the Epic Games Store for one week in May 2020. The promotion ran from May 14 to May 21, 2020, and anyone who claimed the game during that window kept it permanently. The offer is no longer available, but this article explains exactly how the giveaway worked, what you needed to do, and how to check if you already own it.
Background: Why Epic Gave Away GTA V
Epic Games launched its own store in December 2018, competing directly with Steam. To attract users, Epic began a weekly free game program, offering one or two titles every Thursday. Most weeks featured smaller indie games, but the May 2020 giveaway was a major exception: Grand Theft Auto V, a AAA title that normally sold for $30 or more, was offered completely free.
The promotion was part of Epic’s broader strategy to grow its user base quickly. The company had already given away games like Subnautica and Civilization VI, but GTA V was by far the biggest title at that time. The move generated massive attention, and Epic’s servers struggled under the load as millions of people tried to claim the game.
How the Giveaway Worked
To claim GTA V for free, you needed an Epic Games account. If you didn’t have one, you had to create it first. Then, during the promotion window, you visited the Epic Games Store website or opened the Epic Games Launcher, navigated to the GTA V store page, and clicked the “Get” button. The game was added to your library at no cost.
Key details of the offer:
- The giveaway ran from May 14, 2020, at 11:00 AM ET to May 21, 2020, at 11:00 AM ET.
- You did not need to install the game during the promotion; claiming it was enough.
- Once claimed, the game remained in your library permanently, even if you never downloaded it.
- The free version was the Premium Edition, which included the base game plus the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack (a bundle of in-game properties, vehicles, and cash).
How to Check if You Already Own It
If you think you might have claimed GTA V during the 2020 giveaway, you can verify easily:
- Open the Epic Games Launcher on your PC, or go to the Epic Games Store website and log in.
- Go to your Library (in the launcher, it’s on the left sidebar; on the website, click your profile icon and select “Library”).
- Search for “Grand Theft Auto V.” If it appears, you own it.
- If it doesn’t appear, you did not claim it during the promotion, and you would need to purchase it to play.
Note that the Epic Games Store sometimes hides games from your library view if you filter by “Installed.” Make sure you’re viewing “All Games” or “Owned.”
Common Problems During the Giveaway
The sheer number of users trying to claim GTA V caused several issues. Many people reported:
- Server overload: The Epic Games Store website and launcher slowed down or showed error messages like “High Traffic” or “Service Unavailable.”
- Checkout loops: Some users clicked “Get” but the page kept refreshing or didn’t confirm the purchase.
- Payment screen confusion: Even though the game was free, the checkout process still required you to enter payment information (or select “No payment method” if available). Some users thought they were being charged, but the total was $0.00.
- Region restrictions: In a few countries, the game was not available due to local rating laws, and users saw a message saying the game was not offered in their region.
If you encountered these issues, the solution was usually to wait a few hours and try again. Epic extended the promotion by a few hours in some cases, but the official end date remained May 21, 2020.
GTA V on Epic vs. Steam: What’s the Difference?
If you own GTA V on Steam, you might wonder if the Epic version is different. The game itself is identical in content and gameplay. The only real difference is the platform you launch it from. Both versions require a Rockstar Games Social Club account to play, and both support online multiplayer through GTA Online.
One notable difference: If you got the Epic version for free, it was the Premium Edition, which included the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack. Steam users who bought the base game earlier did not get that pack unless they purchased it separately. The Starter Pack gives you a few properties, vehicles, and $1,000,000 in GTA Online, which is a nice head start for new players.
You cannot transfer your GTA Online progress from Steam to Epic, but you can link both platforms to the same Rockstar Social Club account, and your progress is saved on Rockstar’s servers, so you’ll see the same character and stats regardless of which launcher you use.
Is GTA V Free Now?
No, GTA V is not free on the Epic Games Store anymore. The one-week promotion ended permanently. If you missed it, you have to buy the game. Prices vary depending on sales, but the standard edition typically costs around $30, and the Premium Edition (with the Starter Pack) is often $45 or less during seasonal sales.
There is no legitimate way to get GTA V for free now, except through occasional promotions on other platforms (e.g., PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass sometimes include it). Be wary of websites or individuals offering “free” GTA V keys or cracked versions; these are often scams or piracy, which can lead to malware or account bans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still claim GTA V for free if I missed the 2020 giveaway?
No. The promotion was a limited-time offer that ended on May 21, 2020. Epic has not repeated it, and there is no current way to get GTA V for free through the Epic Games Store. You would need to purchase it.
If I claimed GTA V for free, do I keep it forever?
Yes. Once you claimed the game during the giveaway, it is permanently added to your Epic Games library. You can download and play it at any time, even years later, without paying anything.
Do I need a Rockstar Social Club account to play GTA V from Epic?
Yes. GTA V requires a Rockstar Games Social Club account for both single-player and online modes. When you first launch the game, it will prompt you to sign in or create a Social Club account. This is free and separate from your Epic account.
Can I play GTA Online if I got the free Epic version?
Yes. The free Epic version includes full access to GTA Online. You can play with friends on PC, regardless of whether they bought the game on Epic, Steam, or Rockstar’s launcher. Crossplay between PC platforms works because everything runs through Rockstar’s servers.
What if I see GTA V in my library but it says “Install” instead of “Play”?
That’s normal. The game is not installed on your PC yet. Click “Install” to download it. The game is about 90 GB, so make sure you have enough free disk space and a stable internet connection.
Is the Epic version of GTA V different from the Steam version?
No, the game files and content are identical. The only difference is the launcher you use to start it. Both versions require a Rockstar Social Club account, and both receive the same updates and patches. The Epic version, if claimed for free, included the Criminal Enterprise Starter Pack, which the base Steam version did not.
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